For several years our college ministry, Intersect, has had the privilege of partnering with a ministry to young adults with disabilities called Friends for Life. We hang out together a couple of times a month.

When I heard that today was #NationalDisabilityDay, I wanted to take this chance to share with you more about Friends for Life and how we see the Lord at work in this ministry.

I loved hearing the story below from Julia Cushman, the Friends for Life facilitator. I hope you’ll be encouraged by it as well!

Sincerely,

David Newkirk
Next Gen Pastor

God has allowed my husband Rob and me to shepherd the Friends for Life (FFL) ministry at Church of the Open Door (COD) for the past two years. Our passion for creating a space for young adults with disabilities to find Christian community comes from our son, Scotty, who was born with Down syndrome.

Scotty has a passion for making sure that everyone is loved and has a place at the table. For Scotty this means inviting them to attend FFL, which meets twice a month with Intersect, the ministry of COD that is geared to college students and young adults.

You can find us up at the Hillside House enjoying the Intersect coffee cart, playing games and enjoying being together.

We love the blending of the two communities and how that raises awareness and fosters friendships that can deepen our faith in a God whose creativity is evident in all of God’s people.

Last year we had the opportunity to meet Autumn. She and her mom began attending COD after a friend invited them to come checkout the church. Autumn has had some health challenges the last few years that have kept her quite isolated. When she and her mom met Scotty and heard about FFL, they were super excited.

We’ve loved getting to know them better and seeing Autumn’s joy in attending not only church, but also FFL. Autumn hopes to start volunteering in the church nursery this coming year as she loves babies.

We are so grateful for a church that makes inclusion of people with disabilities in our church community a priority.

In the words of Joni Eareckson Tada: “Special needs ministry is Christianity with its sleeves rolled up.”

Julia Cushman
Friends for Life Facilitator

P.S. To find out more about this ministry, and ways you could be involved, contact me (Julia) at 626-390-2171 or jcushman@glendora.k12.ca.us. I’d love to tell you more about it!